Well, I was shooting for an 8:30 / mile and came in at 8:35 / mile so I'm happy with that. I foolishly forgot the exta .2 miles and expected to finish around 25:30 but upon reflection, I see where I went wrong and I'm pretty happy w/ my time. I've been training at a 9 min / mile pace so this is a nice improvement, especially considering the screwy terrain.
I wore my Asics, shorts, and t-shirt. I forgot my hat and it was wicked sunny, but I survived :-) Can't wait for the next one - and hopefully I'll be down to 210 by then!
2009/05/28
Day 15.4 - 4.1 miles - 37:03 mins - 9:02 pace
Ran from the Y to Bridge Street, up to Pulteney, and down to McDonald's. I thought it was 4.2 miles, but nah - just over 4. I had anal retentive issues about 2 minutes into the run and it really took a lot out of me. The hardest part was around the 25th minute - I came extremely close to walking but persevered.
I ran in tights, t-shirt, and Asics. I wasn't too hot but it took me forever to cool down and stop sweating - nearly 20 minutes. I now take 2 days off before running the chemung valley montessori 5K on Sunday (http://sites.google.com/site/cvms5k/).
I ran in tights, t-shirt, and Asics. I wasn't too hot but it took me forever to cool down and stop sweating - nearly 20 minutes. I now take 2 days off before running the chemung valley montessori 5K on Sunday (http://sites.google.com/site/cvms5k/).
2009/05/26
Day 15.2 - 2.6 miles - 23:16mins - 8:57 pace!!!
Wow! My first sub-9-minute mile in quite a while! I did NOT want to run today. I was up late, I ran yesterday, it was a wicked long weekend, etc... But I told myself that these are the days when I have to be disciplined and it will pay off in the long run. With my weight dropping continually, I need to continue to train, too.
So I dropped the kids off and hemmed & hawed, stopping to buy a water & powerbar since I'd forgotten mine, and drove around a bit going back & forth in my head about running or going to work, having to change, where to run, etc... Finally I parked at Kinsella park, changed, and got warmed up.
I decided to go with a t-shirt under a long-sleeve shirt, a combo which works well on these chilly & windy mornings when I forget my jacket. I work my NB sneakers and my Brooks shorts. I started at the park & ran up Canada Road to the intersection w/ South Hamilton street. At first I was jogging in a 4/4 breathing pattern and when I realized what I was doing, about 2 minutes in, I upped it to 3/3 and my speed picked up, too.
The first mile was about 8:40 if I recall & calculated correctly. That was surprising when I looked at my watch. I knew there was a big hill at Healthworks so I just tried to keep a steady pace going. Around the Walmart entrance by Spring Pond I noticed my shorts were chafing my left inner thigh. I tried to move the shorts up, down, sideways, etc... but nothing helped for long. I considered stopping but I recalled the words from "Once A Runner" that says all runners deal with pain eventually - there's no finessing it. Those words kept me going.
The hill outside Healthworks was indeed tough, but for the most part I kept my rhythm the same only switching to 2/2 near the very top. I didn't slow down on the downside, keeping the pace up and just using the easier workload to regain some energy and then I was able to really pick up the pace when things flattened out again. As tired as I was during the run, when it was over, I felt like I could have gone longer / faster. Tomorrow is an off day and since Annie is away on Friday & Saturday, I'm planning to run on Thursday & Friday mornings. Gotta keep up the good work!
So I dropped the kids off and hemmed & hawed, stopping to buy a water & powerbar since I'd forgotten mine, and drove around a bit going back & forth in my head about running or going to work, having to change, where to run, etc... Finally I parked at Kinsella park, changed, and got warmed up.
I decided to go with a t-shirt under a long-sleeve shirt, a combo which works well on these chilly & windy mornings when I forget my jacket. I work my NB sneakers and my Brooks shorts. I started at the park & ran up Canada Road to the intersection w/ South Hamilton street. At first I was jogging in a 4/4 breathing pattern and when I realized what I was doing, about 2 minutes in, I upped it to 3/3 and my speed picked up, too.
The first mile was about 8:40 if I recall & calculated correctly. That was surprising when I looked at my watch. I knew there was a big hill at Healthworks so I just tried to keep a steady pace going. Around the Walmart entrance by Spring Pond I noticed my shorts were chafing my left inner thigh. I tried to move the shorts up, down, sideways, etc... but nothing helped for long. I considered stopping but I recalled the words from "Once A Runner" that says all runners deal with pain eventually - there's no finessing it. Those words kept me going.
The hill outside Healthworks was indeed tough, but for the most part I kept my rhythm the same only switching to 2/2 near the very top. I didn't slow down on the downside, keeping the pace up and just using the easier workload to regain some energy and then I was able to really pick up the pace when things flattened out again. As tired as I was during the run, when it was over, I felt like I could have gone longer / faster. Tomorrow is an off day and since Annie is away on Friday & Saturday, I'm planning to run on Thursday & Friday mornings. Gotta keep up the good work!
2009/05/25
Day 15.1 - 2.1 miles - 19:15 - Memorial Day
With the baby stroller, uphill mostly, I ran 2.1 miles at 9:10 pace!!! I was down to 214 this morning, too. I haven't eaten that great this weekend, but with all the family & kids around, I have definitely been more active. I was happy with my effort today, especially given the night the baby had, but hopefully I can get below a 9 minute mile soon. Now that lax refereeing is over, I'm hoping to run 4 days a week and tomorrow will be a longer run.
I ran in my Asics, Gear shorts, t-shirt, and Adidas hat. I hit the road right around 8am -- again, I was happy w/ the effort.
I ran in my Asics, Gear shorts, t-shirt, and Adidas hat. I hit the road right around 8am -- again, I was happy w/ the effort.
2009/05/21
Day 14.4 - 1hour - 6.2 miles
I did my long run - FINALLY! When was the last time I ran for an hour? Back when I still lived in Rome I think and that was almost 10 years ago. I was going to run long yesterday, but Brennan was up so much the night before that I couldn't. Last night he only woke up once so I grabbed the chance. Unfortunately he woke Annie up at 5:30.
I wore my Adidas hat, Asics, tights, and a new twist - a t-shirt underneath a long-sleeve shirt. It was about 50 degrees which wasn't cold enough for a jacket, nor warm enough for just a t-shirt and the 2-shirter worked perfectly. I did get really sore nipples, though...I don't think it was chafing necessarily, but they were quite bothersome.
The run was good. I started at the Y, went to Bridge, and then onto Pulteney all the way to route 86 near Denny's. I made the turn at 29:30, intentionally giving myself some extra time on the return trip as I considered that hill near West High. I ended up having an extra 15-20 seconds upon the return to the Y so I just ran a little farther into the parking lot. I guess that means I was a little slower on the return, but I'm okay with that. My pace works out to 9:40 per mile which, given my usual 9:30 per mile, was pretty good.
For the first time that I can remember, I was actually questioning myself as to why I was running so far / so long. It started around minute 40 and though it seemed like a long conversation in my head, it probably only lasted 20 seconds or so. I got rid of it by doing my old Army cadence - "One mile, no sweat, 2 miles, better yet, 3 miles, easy run, 4 miles, lots of fun, 5 miles to the sun, 6 miles, almost done, 7 miles, for the run, aaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhh!". Okay, I added a couple there, but that's what I was saying to myself. It really threw off my breathing :-)
Besides my nipples, there really wasn't much pain anywhere, but there was a ton of discomfort! I could feel the acid in my legs and my right achilles wasn't thrilled, but it never complained so much that I felt the need to stop. My left middle toes started feeling like they were bleeding around minute 45 or 50, but I didn't stop.
I never found a consistent rhythm with my breathing or my stride, but that didn't faze me much. For the most part on the way out I was breathing in & out every 3rd stride. The way back was all over the place as I reverted to breathing in for 3 strides and out for 2. Then when I started doing my cadence I was in and out every 2. Once I realized that, though, I forced myself to calm down so I didn't waste myself. I did some stretching at the end because everything felt like it needed it. Next week I'll run fast instead of long and see how I do - I still haven't found a decent workout plan for that yet.
I wore my Adidas hat, Asics, tights, and a new twist - a t-shirt underneath a long-sleeve shirt. It was about 50 degrees which wasn't cold enough for a jacket, nor warm enough for just a t-shirt and the 2-shirter worked perfectly. I did get really sore nipples, though...I don't think it was chafing necessarily, but they were quite bothersome.
The run was good. I started at the Y, went to Bridge, and then onto Pulteney all the way to route 86 near Denny's. I made the turn at 29:30, intentionally giving myself some extra time on the return trip as I considered that hill near West High. I ended up having an extra 15-20 seconds upon the return to the Y so I just ran a little farther into the parking lot. I guess that means I was a little slower on the return, but I'm okay with that. My pace works out to 9:40 per mile which, given my usual 9:30 per mile, was pretty good.
For the first time that I can remember, I was actually questioning myself as to why I was running so far / so long. It started around minute 40 and though it seemed like a long conversation in my head, it probably only lasted 20 seconds or so. I got rid of it by doing my old Army cadence - "One mile, no sweat, 2 miles, better yet, 3 miles, easy run, 4 miles, lots of fun, 5 miles to the sun, 6 miles, almost done, 7 miles, for the run, aaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhh!". Okay, I added a couple there, but that's what I was saying to myself. It really threw off my breathing :-)
Besides my nipples, there really wasn't much pain anywhere, but there was a ton of discomfort! I could feel the acid in my legs and my right achilles wasn't thrilled, but it never complained so much that I felt the need to stop. My left middle toes started feeling like they were bleeding around minute 45 or 50, but I didn't stop.
I never found a consistent rhythm with my breathing or my stride, but that didn't faze me much. For the most part on the way out I was breathing in & out every 3rd stride. The way back was all over the place as I reverted to breathing in for 3 strides and out for 2. Then when I started doing my cadence I was in and out every 2. Once I realized that, though, I forced myself to calm down so I didn't waste myself. I did some stretching at the end because everything felt like it needed it. Next week I'll run fast instead of long and see how I do - I still haven't found a decent workout plan for that yet.
2009/05/19
Day 14.2 - 36 mins - 3 miles on Highland Hills
I wanted to run long today, but the baby woke up just as I was heading downstairs - the little bugger! I tried to get him back to sleep but he cried which woke up Annie and then it was either argue or just get out of there. I had to really bundle him up because it was only 31 degrees when we started - below freezing!!!
I zig-zagged down the hill to first street and back up to our house. From the house to Lexington and then right onto 3rd, down Hamilton, left onto the alley between 3rd & 2nd all the way down to Field, then right onto 2nd back to Hamilton, left onto Cintra lane, then right onto Field and right down 1st to Hamilton. There I turned around and went on the same route, but it was mostly up hill this time. The stroller was a pain - it wouldn't stay straight & I kept having to use both hands to get it back on track. Brennan, of course, fell asleep pretty quickly, just to tick me off.
The NB 1224's continue to feel better and better. I wore tights, knit hat, mittens, and a jacket and I needed it! It wasn't a great run or a bad run, just a run. At least it was 37 minutes long so I know I worked off a few calories. I was 217.8 this morning -- can 215 be far behind?
I zig-zagged down the hill to first street and back up to our house. From the house to Lexington and then right onto 3rd, down Hamilton, left onto the alley between 3rd & 2nd all the way down to Field, then right onto 2nd back to Hamilton, left onto Cintra lane, then right onto Field and right down 1st to Hamilton. There I turned around and went on the same route, but it was mostly up hill this time. The stroller was a pain - it wouldn't stay straight & I kept having to use both hands to get it back on track. Brennan, of course, fell asleep pretty quickly, just to tick me off.
The NB 1224's continue to feel better and better. I wore tights, knit hat, mittens, and a jacket and I needed it! It wasn't a great run or a bad run, just a run. At least it was 37 minutes long so I know I worked off a few calories. I was 217.8 this morning -- can 215 be far behind?
Day 13.7 - 30 mins - Massachusetts
Ran around Eric's neighborhood on Sunday morning. It was humid and rainy. My Asics were great, but soaked. I didn't run hard or too long - just enough to work off one of the Cinnamon Buns I ate the night before :-)
2009/05/15
Day 13.5 - 26 mins - 2.8 miles
Still recovering from flu / cold so I haven't run since Monday. It was also a rough couple nights with the kids lately, too. I have been having breakfast before my runs because I've been running after dropping off the kids and just before work. Today I had some banana, yogurt, cottage cheese, and an energy bar.
It was a quick morning so I actually hit the road just before 8am. I ran the beartown loop in my Fitness Gear shorts, NB 1224's, a t-shirt, and a fleece - I think that's the first time I ever wore that fleece for running. I started w/ my Nike hat, but removed it shortly into the run as I was too hot. I felt really slow at the beginning but coming down the backstretch towards the Fire Department, I felt great. My pace had picked up a bit even though my breathing was in 2, out 3, I was able to keep the pace up for .5 miles. I ran past my intended stop point and was starting to feel pretty fatigued in my quads when I stopped. I didn't feel the acid build-up in my muscles, but I didn't want to push myself too much. I did have to slow down a couple times to cough or blow my nose - it was annoying. It felt great when i got done, though. My weight was down to 216 yesterday and back up to 217 this morning, but I expect there is a chance for me to be down to 215 by the time we go to MA tomorrow. I ate fish for lunch even :-)
It was a quick morning so I actually hit the road just before 8am. I ran the beartown loop in my Fitness Gear shorts, NB 1224's, a t-shirt, and a fleece - I think that's the first time I ever wore that fleece for running. I started w/ my Nike hat, but removed it shortly into the run as I was too hot. I felt really slow at the beginning but coming down the backstretch towards the Fire Department, I felt great. My pace had picked up a bit even though my breathing was in 2, out 3, I was able to keep the pace up for .5 miles. I ran past my intended stop point and was starting to feel pretty fatigued in my quads when I stopped. I didn't feel the acid build-up in my muscles, but I didn't want to push myself too much. I did have to slow down a couple times to cough or blow my nose - it was annoying. It felt great when i got done, though. My weight was down to 216 yesterday and back up to 217 this morning, but I expect there is a chance for me to be down to 215 by the time we go to MA tomorrow. I ate fish for lunch even :-)
2009/05/11
Day 13.1 - 40 mins - 4.2 miles
Very tough to get out of bed today. Didn't get to sleep until 11, baby woke up at 1 & 4. By the time I finished feeding him at 4:30, it was time for me to get up and get ready for the run. I'm recovering or in the middle of a cold and it was only 37 degrees when I started. I wore a knit hat and gloves it was so cold.
I started at the Y and ran up Williams and merged onto Pulteney. I got to the 4-corners in Painted Post and took a right up Hamilton street and another right onto Platt Ave. I took Platt down to Delaware then then left onto Pulteney back to the Y. I think there was a headwind going out and not going back, but nothing serious. My pace works out to 9:34 which isn't great, but I was down to 217 this morning which means I'm continuing to make progress. I didn't eat much dinner last night (Sunday), refereed 3 games on Saturday, and was up from 11-2 with Brennan on Saturday night so my sluggishness may just be from the exhaustion of a long weekend. I had some yogurt and cereal before the run - I've been eating before the runs lately which is also probably affecting my times and energy. Definitely need to rest up tonight. I'm going to try to up my load to 4 running days per week - 1 long, 1 easy, rest day, hills / speed, easy, rest day. Not sure how that schedule will work with the family, but I am so close to getting so much better!
I started at the Y and ran up Williams and merged onto Pulteney. I got to the 4-corners in Painted Post and took a right up Hamilton street and another right onto Platt Ave. I took Platt down to Delaware then then left onto Pulteney back to the Y. I think there was a headwind going out and not going back, but nothing serious. My pace works out to 9:34 which isn't great, but I was down to 217 this morning which means I'm continuing to make progress. I didn't eat much dinner last night (Sunday), refereed 3 games on Saturday, and was up from 11-2 with Brennan on Saturday night so my sluggishness may just be from the exhaustion of a long weekend. I had some yogurt and cereal before the run - I've been eating before the runs lately which is also probably affecting my times and energy. Definitely need to rest up tonight. I'm going to try to up my load to 4 running days per week - 1 long, 1 easy, rest day, hills / speed, easy, rest day. Not sure how that schedule will work with the family, but I am so close to getting so much better!
2009/05/10
Day 12.5 - Saturday - Beartown loop
Ran early this morning before work and it was actually a bit chilly which I didn't expect. I wore a Starter t-shirt, Asics, and tights. I ran the loop (2.6 miles) in 24:32. I tried to take it easy because I have a 3-lax game day on Saturday and I really didn't want to drain myself. I think I may have gotten a cold from the run. Should have brought a hat.
2009/05/06
Day 12.3 - Wednesday - Creekside 1.9miles
I thought I was running 2 miles, but after completiong, turns out it was only 1.9. I was wicked tired / sleepy because Brennan has a newfound appetite for midnight waking. I ran in shorts, t-shirt, Adidas hat, and my NB sneakers.
I've learned that I LOVE running w/ a hat on which is weird - it feels like it helps me focus and I don't squint at much.
I started at the FD, ran onto Creekside and did the loop back to Forest. I intentionaly tried to run faster, especially at the beginning and completed the first 1.1 miles (corner by Peaches-n-Cream) in 9:04! I then took a few slow down breaks and picked it up when returning to Forest and happily, I kept my breathing at 3/3 almost the entire time. After I got to the Creekside intersection again I then sprinted at about 80% to a driveway that I thought was 2 miles but obviously, I was just short. I have lax games tonight & tomorrow so I'll be doing my hill workout on Friday and maybe an easy jog on Saturday.
2009/05/04
Day 12.1 - Monday - BFC - 4.4 miles
Didn't hit the road until 8:30am - shorts, no jacket, my blue Nike hat, and a long-sleeve shirt. Really throwing things crazy, I wore my NB sneakers instead of my Asics. I started at the fire dept, went right up Forest, left towards Walmart, and back up the Beartown hills - but not ending at the Fire Department. I then took a left onto Creekside and ran what I thought was a 2-mile route back to the FD, but it ended up being 1.8. I ran the Beartown 2.6 miles in 24:49 and the 1.8 in 17:06 for a total time of 41:55 which is a 9:32 pace. Not bad over 4 miles at this point. I'm dissappointed though because I thought I was running 5 miles. I felt great during the run and was glad to get out there as I'd taken off Saturday AND Sunday.
My left shin was hurting on the inside but it went away when I switched sides of the road and ran WITH traffic. I also spent some extra time warming up doing jumping jacks and lower-leg rotations - something I should definitely continue.
2009/05/01
Day 11.5 - Friday - Beartown Road
I dropped off the kids today and parked at the Fire Department. I ran counter-clockwise up Forest, left onto South Hamilton, left onto Beartown, and left again onto Forest. I made it back to Fieldview at 24:27:95 which I clocked at 2.6 miles for a pace of 9:25 per mile - a nice improvement over my 10-minute pace. I then jogged another tenth-of-a-mile down Fieldview to Jacob and walked back as a cool down.
It was a good workout with some nice up-hills on Beartown. I definitely think I run faster when I have more of a warm-up. I need to get back to my jumping-jacks & joint rotations prior to running - maybe that will help my calves. I feel pretty good now, but did have to ice up my left shin. My legs hurt as soon as I moved, but it felt good to have pushed through it and completed the circle. I'm surprised my shins hurt, but I did have a game last night with a lot of running.
My weight was 219 this morning and unfortunately I went out to lunch (& dessert) for Regina's going away party so that might go up a bit tomorrow. But I am continuing my downward trend and just need to stay active and keep sleeping.
I wore my Asics (I've GOT to get another pair!) and they were great. I wore shorts for the first time this year and I think it definitely made a difference over the tights. Tights do support the legs & circulation and all, but I think the spandex makes the muscles work harder, too. I wore a long sleeve shirt and my Nike jacket but the jacket was overkill and I ended up carrying it for 1/2 the run.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)